King Charles chats cheerfully with Idris Elba who DJed at Prince Harry’s  wedding and Meghan’s one-time Vogue pal Edward Enninful at reception for African business leaders

King Charles, 74, looked in great spirits today as he met with with African business leaders to learn about opportunities for young people and entrepreneurship in Africa ahead of his visit to the continent. 

He beamed with delight while greeting Idris Elba and other high profile guests at Chapel Barracks in London, including Kenyan businessman James Mwangi and editor-in-chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful.

Luther star Idris is a pal of the King’s estranged son Prince Harry and DJed at his wedding to Meghan Markle. 

Edward Enninful also has ties to the couple and worked closely with Meghan on her guest edit of Vogue in 2019. 

He’s since said the British monarchy ‘isn’t perfect’ but King Charles can ‘evolve with the times’ and praised him as charming’, ‘funny’ and ‘kind’.

He beamed with delight while greeting Idris Elba at the event in Garrison Chapel, Chapel Barracks

King Charles was seen in high spirits today as he attended an elite reception for African business leaders in London (Pictured: King Charles stands by a statue of himself as he welcomes guests to the reception)

His Majesty met with the continent’s business leaders to learn about opportunities for young people and entrepreneurship in Africa ahead of his upcoming visit to Kenya.

For the event, he donned a sharp navy pinstripe suit and opted for an elegant pink and blue tie, and a silk pocket square to match.

The king also sported a crisp white shirt, and finished off the look with his trademark perfectly coiffed comb-over.

Idris Elba, who is friends with the King’s estranged son Prince Harry looked in great spirits as the pair appeared engrossed in lively talks.

With a cheery smile, he continued to make his way across the room ensuring to speak with all in attendance. 

King Charles also met with editor-in-chief of British Vogue Edward Enninful (pictured)

The engagement comes ahead of King Charles’ state visit to Kenya with Queen Camilla from October 31 to November 3. 

The trip is certain to evoke memories of Charles’s mother Queen Elizabeth, because it was where she became Queen, aged 25, after the death of her father, King George VI, in February 1952.

An insider told the Mail on Sunday: ‘It will be a poignant moment. Inevitably it will be a reminder of his young mother at the start of her reign. Now, he is at the start of his, but he has the advantage of experience, too.

‘It will also be an important marker for his reign that will underline how importantly he views the Commonwealth.

His Majesty met with the continent’s business leaders to learn about opportunities for young people and entrepreneurship in Africa ahead of his upcoming visit to Kenya (Pictured: The king shakes hands with Kenyan businessman James Mwangi)

For the event, he donned a sharp navy pinstripe suit and opted for an elegant pink and blue tie, and a silk pocket square to match

‘His Majesty wants to bring people together. He knows the relationship will change between the Royal Family and the realms and other Commonwealth countries, but is keen to preserve and protect the common values.’

Kenya holds a unique place in Royal history as the then Princess Elizabeth was on an official visit there with Prince Philip when she heard that her father had died in the early hours of February 6, 1952, and she had ascended the throne.

The Royal couple had landed in Nairobi less than a week before to start a world tour on behalf of the ailing King. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Sagana Lodge, a bungalow given as a wedding present by Kenya’s government.

They then went on to the Treetops hotel in Aberdare National Park. The late monarch entered a treehouse among the branches of a giant mgumu fig tree as a Princess and came down a Queen.

The hotel was later destroyed by the Mau Mau and rebuilt. The area also holds memories for the King, who has visited Kenya four times.